Disney and Marvel are having unofficial, back channel conversations about bringing fired Guardians of the Galaxy writer/director James Gunn back for the upcoming third movie. This is according to a report from Deadline, whose sources said "back channel conversations are taking place between Marvel Studios and Disney."

From the report: "Sources said the Marvel contingent is trying to persuade Disney to explore a compromise that might bring Gunn back into the fold for Guardians 3..."

Disney fired Gunn after it was discovered that he made jokes about rape and pedophilia on Twitter. When it fired Gunn, Disney executive Alan Horn said the "offensive attitudes and statements" by Gunn are "indefensible and inconsistent" with Disney's values.

Marvel boss Kevin Feige told Collider back in June, before Gunn was fired, that Guardians of the Galaxy 3 was due to start filming in early 2019 ahead of a presumed 2020 release. Whether or not that is still the schedule remains to be seen.